National Drug & Alcohol Addiction Recovery Month

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Happens in the Best of Families...
Family Intervention Can Start The Healing
Children Need Help Too!
Resources for Information and Help
Does your Mom or Dad drink too much?
Things You Should Know
Take Care of Yourself
What Can I Do to Help the Community ?
Where to Get HELP ?
News and Press Releases

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Happens in the Best of Families...
and IT HURTS.

It doesn't have to be that way.

Dependence on alcohol and drugs is our most serious national public health problem. It is prevalent among rich and poor, in all regions of the country, and all ethnic and social groups.

Millions of Americans misuse or are dependent on alcohol or drugs. Most of them have families who suffer the consequences, often serious, of living with this illness. If there is alcohol or drug dependence in your family, remember you are NOT alone.

Most individuals who abuse alcohol or drugs have jobs and are productive members of society, creating a false hope in the family that "it's not that bad."

The problem is that addiction tends to worsen over time, hurting both the addicted person and all the family members. It is especially damaging to young children and adolescents.

People with this illness really may believe that they drink normally or that "everyone" takes drugs. These false beliefs are called denial; this denial is part of the illness.

Drug or alcohol dependence disorders are medical conditions that can be effectively treated. Millions of Americans and their families are in healthy recovery from this disease.

If someone close to you misuses alcohol or drugs, the first step is to be honest about the problem and to seek help for yourself, your family, and your loved one.

Treatment can occur in a variety of settings, in many different forms, and for different lengths of time. Stopping the alcohol or drug use is the first step to recovery, and most people need help to stop. Often a person with alcohol or drug dependence will need treatment provided by professionals just as with other diseases. Your doctor may be able to guide you.

"What is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families" - was written especially for family members and is available through SAMHSA's National Help line at 1/800/662-HELP. (SAMHSA is Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.)

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Family Intervention Can Start The Healing

Getting a loved one to agree to accept help and finding support services for all family members are the first steps toward healing for the addicted person and the entire family.

When an addicted person is reluctant to seek help, sometimes family members, friends, and associates come together out of concern and love, to confront the problem drinker. They strongly urge the person to enter treatment and list the serious consequences of not doing so, such as family breakup or job loss.

This is called "intervention." When carefully prepared and done with the guidance of a competent, trained specialist, the family, friends and associates are usually able to convince their loved one - in a firm and loving manner - that the only choice is to accept help and begin the road to recovery.

People with alcohol or drug dependence problems can and do recover. Intervention is often the first step.

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Children Need Help Too!

Children in families experiencing alcohol or drug abuse need attention, guidance and support. They may be growing up in homes in which the problems are either denied or covered up.

These children need to have their experiences validated. They also need safe, reliable adults in whom to confide and who will support them, reassure them, and provide them with appropriate help for their age. They need to have fun and just be kids.

Families with alcohol and drug problems usually have high levels of stress and confusion. High stress family environments are a risk factor for early and dangerous substance use, as well as mental and physical health problems.

It is important to talk honestly with children about what is happening in the family and to help them express their concerns and feelings. Children need to trust the adults in their lives and to believe that they will support them.

Children living with alcohol or drug abuse in the family can benefit from participating in educational support groups in their school student assistance programs. Those age 11 and older can join Alateen groups, which meet in community settings and provide healthy connections with others coping with similar issues. Being associated with the activities of a faith community can also help.

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RESOURCES FOR INFORMATION AND HELP

There is help available in your local community. Look in the Yellow Pages under Alcoholism for treatment programs and self-help groups. Call your county health department and ask for licensed treatment programs in your community. keep trying until you find the right help for your loved one, yourself and your family. Ask a family therapist for a referral to a trained interventionist or, call the Intervention Resource Center at 1/888/421-4321

Self Help Groups

For a pastoral counseling center in your community, visit www.aapc.org.

For More Information

Local Substance Abuse Assistance Providers

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Does your Mom or Dad drink too much?

Millions of youth like yourself worry about their parents drinking too much or using drugs. It's a big problem that happens in every kind of family, whether rich or poor, single parent, traditional or blended family, and families that attend places of worship.

When your parents have been drinking or using drugs, do they:

• Embarrass you?
• Blame you for things you didn't do?
• Break promises?
• Drive under the influence?
• Behave in confusing and unpredictable ways?

Your parent could be misusing or be addicted to alcohol or drugs. Addiction to alcohol or drugs is a disease. People with this disease often do things that are confusing and hurtful. They need help to stop the alcohol or drug use. Sometimes that help is through an alcohol or drug abuse program; sometimes it is through Alcoholics Anonymous or other self-help groups, which often meet in churches and synagogues. These groups have helped millions of Moms and Dads recover, regain their health, and begin to heal their families. Caring adults are available to help your Mom or Dad get the treatment and recovery support they need.

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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Lots of teens live in families with alcohol abuse or alcoholism - one in four. Many also live with parental drug abuse. You are not alone.

Addiction alcohol or drugs affects all members of the family, even if only one person has this disease. This is why it is called a "family disease."

Nothing you have done has ever caused anyone else to drink too much or to use drugs. IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT. You need and deserve help for yourself.

You didn't CAUSE it.
You can't CURE it.
You can't CONTROL it...but...

You CAN
Take better CARE of yourself by
COMMUNICATING your feelings
Making healthy CHOICES and
CELEBRATING yourself.

People with alcohol or drug addiction in their families are at greater risk of getting this disease when they choose to drink or use drugs. You can never get this disease if you don't drink or use drugs.

It is important for you to concentrate on finding help and support for yourself.

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TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

If you feel bad because your Mom or Dad is drinking too much or using drugs, there are steps you can take to make things better for yourself even though you cannot stop your parent from drinking or using.

Talk to a caring adult. There are many adults who will listen and help you deal with problems at home, even when it seems no one has noticed. Sometimes they are not sure if you want or need support and are waiting for you to say something first. Often a teacher, a counselor at school, a youth minister, a coach, doctor, nurse, friend's parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle is knowledgeable and anxious to help.

Families with alcohol or drug problems often try to keep it a secret. It is important to find caring adults who can help you. Talking to them really helps, and it is not being disloyal to your family if you seek help for yourself.

If you don't get the help you need from the first person you approach, it is important to reach out to another adult you can trust.

Get involved in youth programs. Join in activities offered through your church or synagogue, your school's extracurricular programs, or your community recreational departments. Here you can hang out with other young people, use your special talents and strengths, and learn new skills while making friends and having fun.

Join a support group. Many schools have assistance programs that offer support groups for students who are living with alcohol or drug abuse in their families. These programs help with problem solving, and they give you the opportunity to meet other young people who are struggling with the same problems at home that you might face. They can help you see how others are able to have a good life in spite of what is happening at home.

Alateen is for you. Alateen is a group for teens who are affected by someone else's alcohol or drug use. It holds meetings, like a club, where young people share tips on how to make their lives easier when a family member drinks too much or uses drugs.

The meetings are sponsored by Al-Anon. You can find the location of meetings near you by looking in the phone book under Al-Anon or Alateen, or ask a youth minister, your school counselor, your doctor or another adult you trust to help you get to a meeting near you. You can also find out about Alateen at www.alateen.org or by calling toll-free at 1/888/425-2666.

If it is your friend's Mom or Dad who drinks too much...

Don't walk away, and don't pretend you don't see it.

Things you can say that might help:

• It's not your fault that your parent drinks or uses drugs.
• You're not alone - lots of kids come from families where this is a problem.
• There are people who can help.

Things you can do:

• Tell your pastor or youth minister that you are worried about your friend.
• Be a good friend - include your friend in your activities and your family's fun.
• Encourage your fiend to talk to a trusting adult.

Self Help Groups

For a pastoral counseling center in your community, visit www.aapc.org.

For More Information

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What Can I Do To Help The Community?

LaPorte County Drug Free Partnership

The LaPorte County Drug Free Partnership formed in 1989 and is one of the 15 counties in the Northwest Region of the Governor's Commission for a Drug Free Indiana. As a part of the statewide structure and under the authority by law of the Commission, members include concerned citizens and representatives from any county organizations interested in helping to solve problems caused by substance abuse/addiction in LaPorte County.

Our mission is to bring together representatives, organizations, and agencies, both public and private, which seek to provide optimal resources for the combating of alcohol and other drug abuse in LaPorte County. To formulate a countywide comprehensive plan, while evaluating and restructuring to insure its goals are met. To fund proposed projects and programs by awarding grants from the local portion of the Drug Free Community Fund.

All county residents are directly and indirectly impacted by drug abuse and are encouraged to become members of the Partnership to help in solving the resulting social problems.

Partnership Committees

• Prevention and Education. This committee provides input regarding programs, services and materials aimed at deterring individuals from using and/or abusing alcohol and other illegal drugs. It gathers and shares information regarding skill building programs, community or professional mobilization, and social and environmental change programs for both youth and adults.
• Justice. The justice committee is concerned with the legality and consequences of substance abuse and examines law enforcement and prosecutorial efforts. The committee tracks court disposition of drug and alcohol related matters, encourages the development of neighborhood watch programs, OWE patrolling, and pro-active community policing.
• Intervention and Treatment. This committee's efforts are centered on services for those citizens who are in recovery from problems associated with addiction and substance abuse. it represents services that deal with interventions, referral, and assessment as well as after-care and continuum of treatment.

Youth Making Moves

Organized in July, 2000, YOM is a group of middle and high school youth from across the county who have developed their own initiatives to address substance use/abuse by their peers within their own school populations and plan and sponsor Teen Night Activities. They are backed and financially supported by the Partnership.

The Red Ribbon Campaign

Red Ribbon is an annual county-wide effort each October to heighten community awareness and increase education. The Partnership encourages businesses, churches, government officials, and all county residents to participate and especially to support our children and youth in increasing awareness and striving to reduce alcohol and drug abuse in LaPorte County. This is accomplished through a variety of activities including essay and art contests, rallies and special t-shirt designs that are produced for and by our children and teens.

Grant Funding

Funding is obtained under state law through court-imposed fines from alcohol and drug-related offenders. 75% of these funds are annually awarded back to the community individuals and organizations involved in designing and implementing projects and services addressing actions recommended in the County Plan. Interested applicants should contact the Partnership for more information regarding obtaining grant funding.

Meetings are held from Noon until 2 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, alternating between the Swanson Center, Marquette Mall Office Building in Michigan City and the LaPorte First United Methodist Church, 1225 Michigan Ave., LaPorte, Indiana.

For more information contact the LaPorte County Drug Free Partnership at 219/608-1418 or by mail at P O Box 8750, Michigan City, IN 46360.

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Where To Get HELP

If you are concerned about your own drug or alcohol use, go to www.checkyourself.org.

For information about underage drinking and alcohol problems, go to www.thecoolspot.gov.

For more information on drugs and addiction and for advice on how to talk to your friends about their drug and alcohol use, go to www.freevibe.com.

For more information or to talk to a specialist who can refer your friend to help, call 1/800/788-2800 or go to www.health.org.

For science-based facts about how drugs affect the brain and body, go to www.teens.drugabuse.gov.

YANA Service Club, Inc.
Hosts 12-step Recovery Programs
"If you think you might have a problem...we think we might have a suggestion."

1621 Roberts Street, LaPorte, IN 46350
219/324-2202

YANA's Mission: To provide educational and non-professional social activities to further the development of individuals who choose to recover from alcohol and/or drug-related dependencies. To operate and maintain a physical facility that provides meeting rooms for groups engaged in 12-step recovery programs.

YANA's Vision: To foster the development of individuals who have chosen 12-step recovery; who see the need, take the action and develop a sense of ownership in the YANA enterprise.

YANA is not allied with any sect, denomination, political party or institution.

YANA is endorsed by the Governor's Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana and by the LaPorte County Drug-Free Partnership. YANA is recognized by LaPorte County, the State of Indiana and the Internal Revenue Services / U.S. Treasury Department as a not-for-profit and a tax-free organization.

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News and Press Releases

Youth Drug Use Continues Downward Slide While Older Adult Rates of Use Increase

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced that current illicit drug use among youth ages 12-17 continues to decline. The rate has been moving downward from 11.6 percent using drugs in the past month in 2002 to 11.2 percent in 2003, 10.6 percent in 2004 and 9.9 percent in 2005. This initial report from the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), released at the annual observance of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month Observance, focuses on significant trends in substance abuse and mental health problems since 2002.

Similarly, the rate of current marijuana use among youth ages 12 to 17 declined significantly from 8.2 percent in 2002 to 6.8 percent in 2005, and the average age of first use of marijuana increased from under age 17 in 2003 to 17.4 years in 2005. Furthermore, drinking among teens declined, with 16.5 percent of youth ages 12-17 reporting current alcohol use and 9.9 percent reporting binge drinking. This compares with 17.6 percent of this age group reporting drinking in 2004 and 11.1 percent reporting binge drinking in the past month in 2004. These declines in alcohol use by youth, ages 12-17, follow years of relatively unchanged rates.

The baby boomer generation presents a different story. Among adults aged 50 to 59, the rate of current illicit drug use increased from 2.7 percent to 4.4 percent between 2002 and 2005, reflecting the aging into this age group - the baby boom cohort.

“The trends among young people are encouraging,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt. “We know prevention activities must start with our children. There is more to be done and we must build on our work to ensure that children and their parents understand that they must live free of drugs and alcohol to be healthy.”

"Something important is happening with American teens," said John P. Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy. "They are getting the message that using drugs limits their futures, and they are turning away from the destructive patterns and cruelly-misinformed perceptions about substance abuse that have so damaged previous generations."

“The news today is there is a fundamental shift in drug use among young people in America,” said Assistant Surgeon General Eric B. Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H., SAMHSA Acting Deputy Administrator. “We first saw this shift towards healthier decisions when rates of tobacco use among young people began to go down. Now, we see a sustained drop in rates of drug use. We will see if the decline in drinking among 12 to 17 years olds becomes a continued pattern as well.”

For young adults, ages 18-25, the picture is mixed. While there were no significant changes in overall past month use of any illicit drugs in this age group between 2002 and 2005, cocaine use increased from 2.0 in 2002 to 2.6 percent in 2005. Past-month non medical use of prescription drugs among young adults increased from 5.4 percent in 2002 to 6.3 percent in 2005, due largely to an increase in the non medical use of narcotic pain relievers. The rate was 4.1 percent in 2002 and 4.7 percent in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Marijuana

The survey shows there were 14.6 million past month users of marijuana in 2005. Among those ages 12 and older, the rate of past-month marijuana use was about the same in 2005 (6.0 percent) as in 2004 (6.1 percent), 2003 (6.2 percent) and 2002 (6.2 percent).

Prescription Drugs

There were 6.4 million persons ages 12 or older (2.6 percent) who used prescription drugs non medically in the past month. Of these, 4.7 million used narcotic pain relievers, 1.8 million used tranquilizers, 1.1 million used stimulants (including 512,000 who used methamphetamine) and 272,000 used sedatives. Each of these estimates is similar to the estimates for 2004.

Those who used prescription drugs non medically were asked how they obtained the drugs they used most recently. In 2005, the prevalent source for drugs used non medically was “from a friend or relative for free” (59.8 percent). Another 16.8 percent reported getting the drug from one doctor, while 4.3 percent reported getting narcotic pain relievers from a drug dealer or other stranger, and 0.8 percent reported buying the drug on the internet.

Methamphetamine

From 2002 to 2005, decreases were seen in lifetime (5.3 to 4.3 percent) and past year (0.7 to 0.5 percent) methamphetamine use, but not past month use (0.3 percent in 2002 vs. 0.2 percent in 2005) for those aged 12 or older. Although the number of past month users has remained steady since 2002, the number of methamphetamine users who were dependent on or abused some illicit drug did rise significantly during this period, from 164,000 in 2002 to 257,000 in 2005

The number of recent new users of methamphetamine, aged 12 or older, was 192,000 in 2005. Between 2002 and 2004, the number of methamphetamine initiates remained steady at around 300,000 per year, but there was a decline from 2004 (318,000 initiates) to 2005.

Cocaine

The rate of cocaine use was not statistically different between 2004 and 2005 (0.8 percent to 1.0 percent) and has remained unchanged since 2002.

Heroin

There was no significant change in the number of current heroin users in 2005 (136,000), nor in the rate of heroin use (0.1 percent), compared with estimates from 2004, 2003, and 2002.

Alcohol

More than one fifth (22.7 percent) of persons ages 12 and older participated in binge drinking in 2005, defined as having five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the 30 days prior to being surveyed. This translates as about 55 million people, comparable to the 2004 estimate. The binge drinking rate among young adults ages 18-25 was 41.9 percent, and the heavy drinking rate was 15.3 percent.

In 2005, 6.6 percent of the population ages 12 and older (16 million people) engaged in heavy drinking. This rate is similar to the reported rate of 6.9 percent in 2004. Heavy drinking is defined as binge drinking on at least five days in the past 30 days.

About 10.8 million persons ages 12-20 (28.2 percent) reported past month alcohol use in 2005. Nearly 7.2 million of these underage drinkers (18.8 percent) were binge drinkers and 2.3 million (6.0) were heavy drinkers. These figures have remained essentially the same since 2002. Most of the new initiates to alcohol use (88.9 percent) were younger than 21 at the time of initiation.

Tobacco

In 2005 there were an estimated 71.5 million Americans ages 12 and older who were current users of a tobacco product. Of these 60.5 million were current cigarette smokers; 13.6 million smoked cigars; 7.7 million used smokeless tobacco; and 2.2 million smoked tobacco in pipes. Between the years 2002 and 2005 past-month use of a tobacco product declined from 30.4 percent to 29.4 percent, and past-month cigarette use decreased from 26.0 percent to 24.9 percent.

The rate of past month cigarette use among youth ages 12-17 declined from 13.0 percent in 2002 to 10.8 percent in 2005. There were also declines in use of cigars in this age group.

Prevention Measures

Current marijuana use was much less prevalent among youths who perceived strong parental disapproval for trying marijuana or hashish once or twice than for those who did not (4.6 percent vs. 27.0 percent). Over 90 percent of youths report that their parents would strongly disapprove of this behavior.

Substance Dependence or Abuse

In 2005, an estimated 22.2 million persons (9.1 percent of the population ages 12 and older) were classified with substance dependence or abuse in the past year, based on criteria specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV). Of these, 3.3 million were dependent on or abused both alcohol and illicit drugs; 3.6 million were dependent on or abused illicit drugs but not alcohol; and 15.4 million were dependent on or abused alcohol, but not illicit drugs. These numbers are basically unchanged since 2002.

There were 2.3 million people who received treatment at a specialty facility in 2005. There were 1.2 million persons who reported that they felt they needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem, but of these 865,000 reported making no effort to get treatment. There were 296,000 who reported they had made an effort to get treatment. These numbers were not statistically different from the numbers in the 2004 survey.

Adults ages 21 or older who had first used alcohol before age 21 were almost 5 times more likely than adults who had their first drink at age 21 or older to be classified with alcohol dependence or abuse (9.6 percent compared to 2.1 percent).

Driving Under the Influence

In 2005, an estimated 13.0 percent of persons ages 12 and older (31.7 million persons) drove under the influence of alcohol at least once in the past year. This percentage has dropped since 2002, when it was 14.2 percent.

Co-occurring Substance Use and Serious Psychological Distress

Serious psychological distress, as measured by the survey administered to adults ages 18 and older, was associated with past year substance dependence or abuse in 2005. Among the 24.6 million adults with serious psychological distress in 2005, 21.3 percent (5.2 million) were dependent on or abused illicit drugs or alcohol. The rate of substance dependence or abuse among adults without serious psychological distress was 7.7 percent (14.9 million people).

Among the 5.2 million adults with both serious psychological distress and substance dependence or abuse in 2005, 47 percent received mental health treatment or substance use treatment at a specialty facility: 8.5 percent received both treatment for mental health and substance use disorder, 34.3 percent received only treatment for mental health problems, and 4.1 percent received only specialty substance use treatment.

Depression

There were 30.8 million adults who had at least one major depressive episode in their lifetime, and 15.8 million adults (7.3 percent of persons ages 18 and older) who reported a major depressive episode in the past year. This is a statistically significant decline from 17.1 million adults (8 percent) reporting past year major depressive episodes in 2004.

Having a major depressive episode in the past year was associated with past year substance dependence or abuse. Among adults in 2005, 19.9 percent were dependent on or abused alcohol or illicit drugs, while among persons without a major depressive episode only 8.4 percent were dependent on or abused alcohol or illicit drugs.

In 2005 there were 3.4 million youths ages 12 to 17 (13.7 percent of that population) who had at least one major depressive episode in their lifetimes and 2.2 million youths (8.8 percent) who had a major depressive episode during the past year. The occurrence of a major depressive episode in the past year among youths ages 12 to 17 was associated with a higher prevalence of illicit drug or alcohol dependence or abuse (19.8 percent). This compares to 6.9 percent for youths who did not report past-year major depressive episodes.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health is an annual survey of approximately 67,500 people. The survey collects information from residents of households, residents of non-institutionalized group quarters and civilians living on military bases.

Recovery Month is observed in September to recognize the accomplishments of people in recovery, the contributions of treatment providers, and advances in substance abuse treatment. This year is the 17th annual observance. The theme “Join the Voices for Recovery – Build a Stronger, Healthier Community” emphasizes that addiction to alcohol and drugs is a chronic, but treatable, public health problem that affects everyone in the community.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health is available on the web at http://oas.samhsa.gov/. Electronic versions of Recovery Month materials are available at www.recoverymonth.gov.

Click on this link (http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2006/voices/default.aspx) to read Voices of Recovery stories from across the country.

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